Oh my word it’s December. I can hardly believe it. As much as I am already looking forward to the New Year (work wise) I am not ready to move on. I feel as if there is still so much left to do in the next 30 days!

I have decided to raise my facial prices by $5 across the board in preparation for the new skin care line I am bringing in. The price increase not only allows me to personally afford the new line, but it will also allow for a new constancy of quality professional products and retail for my clients, which I have not had for way too long. I have also decided to add seaweed body wraps to my service menu. I used to do a lot of wraps, but when clients lost interest I stopped doing them. In the last few months I have had so many requests that I am bringing them back.

Since I love being a last-minute planner, I also have to get my application in for the California state massage therapist license. I have until the end of this year to still qualify for the grandfather clause and have a list of things that need to be checked off so I can get my money and application mailed in. I have put off doing this for a variety of reasons, but now is the time to get it done before it’s too late!

I also have a rush order out for gift certificates because I am already almost out of them! I don’t know how that happened, but this is the season for them. I have already sold more then I usually average for the season. I think that more and more people are realizing the value of relaxation and pampering. A gift certificate to the spa is my favorite gift and you can bet that it's on my list too. I prefer to buy them in the summer or early fall so  I don’t end up in this position, but this year has gotten away from me.

I already have my first New Year’s resolution, and that is to manage my time better. It was never an issue for me in the past, but this is the busiest my business has been in a long time and I wasn’t prepared for it. It’s not easy to prioritize and make time for all the people you love and the things you like to do, but I know that I can get back there. I have a lot of love to give, and I need to spread it around more evenly.

This weekend I am working at a holiday pampering party with a massage friend. She is doing 1 hour massages and I am doing manis and pedis. It's looking to be a long day, but it will be a blast!

—Karyn, Body Skin and Nails by Karyn, Roseville, Calif.